Book Idea…Moving Ahead…Asking For Help

If you happen to follow me on Facebook, you may have seen a couple of status updates from me over the past couple of weeks about writing a book and talking to book publishers.  I’ve learned a lot the past two weeks about the whole process by talking to a couple of friends who have navigated the book writing/publishing journey for themselves.  And I’m hoping to tap into more people in the coming days and weeks as I move down this road.

I thought it might be helpful to share my early ideas with you.  I’d love to get some feedback from you as I value your thoughts and opinions as part of The Stretched Community.

I want to help Christian “couch potatoes” to understand the value of moving outside their comfort zone, so they can live a life worth living.  Specifically, I hope my own leap of faith, short-term mission trip story will inspire others to take similar leaps of faith.  In my book, I’ll share practical tips for moving off the couch and into the mission field of life.

This is a work in progress, but it’s a start I wanted to share with all of you.

Now, here’s where you come in.  I’d love to get your thoughts, ideas, and questions about this topic to help me focus my ideas.

What do you need to know about short-term missions?

What do you want to know about my short-term missions story?

What specifically would make this a book you just have to read and share with others?

Does this sound like something that would interest you?

Do you have any advice for a first time book writer like myself?

Seriously, I would like to hear your feedback.  Leave a comment with your thoughts.

Thanks!

A Leap Starts With A Step Forward

“That’s one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind.”  ~Neil Armstrong

Over the past couple of years, I’ve written a lot about taking leaps of faith.

When you think of a leap, what comes to mind?

I don’t know about you, but I think of a giant lunge forward.  I think of a Carl Lewis size jump ahead.  I think of Michael Jordan taking off from the foul line on the way to an amazing slam dunk.  I think of those crazy guys in wing suits who jump off of cliffs like they are flying squirrels.

I don’t usually think about an inch forward.  Yet a small step can be just as terrifying as jumping out of a plane.  And a small step may require just as much faith as something considered more extreme.

I want to encourage you to dream big, but I also want to remind you to start small.

What are you waiting for?

Why are you standing still as though your feet are stuck in concrete? 

What small step of faith do you need to take today?

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  Matthew 17:20

I’ve talked a lot recently about going on a short-term mission trip.  Maybe that is just too big and scary for you right now.  Just maybe you need to take a smaller step right now.

Here are a five suggestions for taking smaller steps towards a short-term mission trip:

• Learn about a foreign land.  Get on-line.  Read about Guatemala.  Learn about Haiti.  Educate yourself about a part of the world that needs to know the love and hope of Jesus Christ.
• Connect with a missionary.  Develop a pen pal relationship with a missionary from your church.  Get on their mailing list, so you can read about their adventures and ministry.
• Pray.  Pray that God would help you to take a bigger leap of faith in the future.  Pray for the people and missionaries you are learning about.
• Get some skin in the game.  Consider giving to a missionary you trust.  Or consider supporting someone else as they pursue their own short-term mission trip.  Your financial contribution – big or small – could have a huge impact on those in need.
• Start today.  Do something small today.  Don’t wait until tomorrow.  It probably won’t happen if you keep putting it off.

Life Is An Adventure – Are You Living Like It?

Life is an adventure.  Are you living like it?

Honestly, I’m typically a “keep it the same” kind of guy.  I eat oatmeal for breakfast every day.  I eat nearly the same thing for lunch every day at work.  I get up at the same time every day.

Routine is a good thing.  At least I think so.  But sometimes our routines prevent us from experiencing adventures that are screaming for us to break free of our comfort zones.  Going to Guatemala this summer was definitely an adventure – a contrast from the routines of my life.

Our trip certainly didn’t match up with the typical American vacation to the beach, to the mountains, or to some resort.  While we did eat one or two fancy meals on our trip to Guatemala, we didn’t eat in any expensive restaurants.  In fact, we ate a lot of rice, beans, and corn tortillas.  We certainly didn’t ride in any luxurious motor homes, trains, or sports cars.  But we did take some rides we will never forget.

The morning we went to San Antonio was an adventure I will never forget.

As I mentioned earlier, we took a long and curvy road from Xenacoj up to San Antonio.  The road was paved most of the way until we turned right onto a dirt road.  One of us said something about riding on the roof of the van.  Before we knew it, the white, 15 passenger van had stopped and five of us were climbing on top of the van to sit on the uncomfortable metal roof rack.  When we were all positioned as comfortably as possible, one of us banged our fist on the van’s roof, and we proceeded up the rugged dirt road for a ride we’ll always remember.

The initial part of the road passed by fields where workers were cultivating the fields by hand.  They waved to us calling out “Bueno!”  (Or “Hello”).  Across the fields in the distance we could see volcanoes stretching way above the horizon touching the sky.  Continuing up the bumpy road, we passed a couple of cows and horses grazing on the side of the mountains tied to a fence post or stake.  The clouds in the sky looked like fluffy pillows spread throughout the sky and wrapping themselves around the nearby mountains.

Climbing higher, we passed a pump house that was built by another missions organization used to get water closer to the people of San Antonio.  Looking down the side of the van, you could see where a previous group had dug a trench up the side of the road to deliver PVC pipes filled with water to the homes on top of the mountain.

Suddenly, we arrived in the small village.  We passed a few homes – many built with cornstalks and sheets of metal and some built with concrete block.    We started seeing signs of life.  A woman walking up the road with a load balanced on her head was a reminder that we weren’t in Kansas any more.  Our van pulled to a stop next to the one and only school in San Antonio – a place that would grip our hearts further.  It’s here where the faces of children were etched in our memories and hearts for ever.

What if we didn’t go on this adventure?  What if we didn’t climb on the roof of the van?  What if we didn’t drive up to San Antonio?

We would have missed out.  We might have passed right by the “appointment” with these children.  We may have lost the opportunity to be touched in such an amazing way.  We could have been left out on the adventure of a lifetime.

But…

We didn’t!

Adventures can be scary.  They can be bumpy.  They can be completely uncomfortable.

And…

Adventures can be totally worth it!  They can touch you in ways you never imagined.  They can inspire you (and others).  They can absolutely change you from the inside out.  I will forever be marked by this adventure.  I know we helped the people of San Antonio, but they also impacted me in amazing ways.

What adventure do you need to pursue?  What’s holding you back?  When has it been worth it to get outside your comfort zone in pursuit of adventure?

Can I Get A Witness

A witness is someone who has, who claims to have, or is thought, by someone with authority to compel testimony, to have knowledge relevant to an event or other matter of interest. In law a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, either oral or written, of what he or she knows or claims to know about the matter before some official authorized to take such testimony.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witness)

Last week on the way home from work, I witnessed a pretty bad accident on the way home from work.  I was right behind a car that pulled into an intersection prematurely leading to a three car accident.  It was surreal.  The accident seemed to happen in slow motion as an oncoming car slammed into the car as it crossed into the intersection.  The car at fault was then pushed into another car across the street that was waiting to cross the road.  I felt like I was in a movie as I saw two of the cars go airborne.

I called 911 explaining the situation.  After recommending that an ambulance be sent to the scene of the accident, I explained that there were most likely injuries.  The 911 dispatcher connected me with a state trooper who asked for details and requested that I stay there until a trooper arrived on site.  Apparently, I was the only witness to the accident, and they wanted my testimony.

When the trooper arrived, he inspected the cars, the roads, and those involved with the accident.  He took notes.  He checked in with the paramedics who were already on the scene.  He took a few more notes.  And then he came over to me to get my take.  It was a quick discussion.  I was able to confirm the details that I observed.  And then he sent me on my way.  I had completed my job as the witness.

When you hear the word “witness”, what comes to mind?

Maybe, you think of the 80s movie (Witness) starring Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis in which a young Amish boy witnesses a murder.

Maybe, you think of The People’s Court, Judge Judy, Night Court, or another courtroom drama or sitcom in which someone is called to testify.

The term witness is met with mixed thoughts and emotions when it is tied to the church.  Christians are often afraid to share their faith concerned with how they will be perceived.  Some Christians are afraid that they will be compared with street preachers or Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Many fail to “witness” because they are afraid of rejection.  Some simply feel inadequate, “What can I say that would make someone follow Christ?”.

I’m not sure what you think about witnessing, but it seems pretty clear that we are called to testify – to witness – to others about the truth of Christ, His love, and His sacrifice on the cross.  The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) directs Christ followers to go into all the world teaching others about Christ – to witness.

What and who gives us this authority to share our testimony?  The Great Commission provided by Christ himself provides this authority, and our own experience with God gives us a compelling testimony worth sharing.  So how can we do this?  Many of us wouldn’t proclaim to be gifted speakers or preachers.  But that shouldn’t stop us.  Witnessing to others can include words, but it also can be through our actions.

I love this quote by Saint Francis of Assisi:

Preach the gospel at all times — If necessary, use words.

So a challenge for you and me is to be intentional in our words and in our actions today.  May our words and deeds bear witness to the truth of Christ that longs to permeate the lives of everyone.

How can you be a witness today to those around you who need to know the love and truth of Christ?

The Stretched Blog Visits The Daily ReTort

Today, I’m guest posting as part of The Network for Tor Constantino at his blog, The Daily ReTort.  In my post (5 Reasons To Go On A Missions Trip With Your Family), I share some thoughts about faith, family, and missions.  Here’s an excerpt to get you started.

5 Reasons To Go On A Missions Trip With Your Family

Early this month, our family traveled to Guatemala to serve the orphans and widows in and around the village of Santo Domingo Xenacoj.

Deciding to go in the first place was a pretty significant leap of faith.

• As a father and husband, did I think we would be safe in a strange land removed from many of the luxuries we currently enjoy? 
• Did I really want to spend my vacation time working instead of relaxing somewhere? 
• How were we going to come up with the money necessary to make this trip a reality?

These were just some of the questions that troubled me for weeks as we processed this decision last fall.

Having arrived at the other side of this mission trip, I can tell you that we made it.  We were safe.  The vacation time from work was well spent.  And God provided the funds for this trip in ways that far exceeded our greatest expectations.  (Click here to keep reading.)

If you’re visiting from Tor’s blog, I’m glad you stopped by.  I hope you’ll check things out and become a regular part of The Stretched Community.  You can sign up to receive daily blog updates by adding your e-mail on the main page (I promise not to send you spam).  To help you get a taste of my other writing, here are a few of my favorite posts:

• Leap of Faith
• Less Like Scars
• Ten Things Every Small Group Leader Should Know
• The Power of the Next Question
• How To Respond To The Election Results

You can also click here to link to more about my experiences in Guatemala.

Have you ever taken a mission trip with your family?  If so, how did it impact your family? What’s holding you back from going on a mission trip?

A Different Twist On Happiness

“Whatever makes you happy!”

“I just want him to be happy!”

“Are you happy?”

We live in a culture that is focused on the pursuit of personal happiness.  We go after the next big promotion, the next big toy, the next big experience, the next big relationship, and the next big investment thinking to ourselves “This will bring me happiness!”  (Maybe it’s a big bowl of popcorn.)

My guess is these pursuits may bring us temporary happiness, but this feeling of euphoria eventually fades.

What if we thought about happiness from a different angle?

Last night, Leanne and I saw a new movie featuring Joe Boyd and Rebecca St. James, A Strange Brand Of Happy.  Before you get all excited, it wasn’t my favorite movie, but I did enjoy the date night experience with my wife (who loved the movie).  I won’t go into a major review here – that’s not the point of this post.  The movie did get me thinking about happiness.

Did you ever think that we might make God happy?

I’m not sure if I ever thought about it this way before.

Imagine with me for a minute that you are a parent (that’s not too difficult for many of us).  How do your kids bring you happiness?  For me, I’m happy when I see them using their gifts and talents.  For example, I’m happy when I watch Hannah run.  I’m happy when I see her using her unbelievable Spanish skills.  I’m happy when see her heart pouring out into her actions.  I’m happy when I hear Isaac playing the piano or trumpet.  I’m happy when I see him caring for others.  I’m happy when he just wants to be around me.

The movie suggests that we make God happy, and I think I get it.  When we are using our gifts and talents, we make God happy.  When we are operating in our area of passion, we make God happy.  When we just want to be around Him, we make God happy.  Maybe this is the kind of happiness we should be pursuing.

What do you think?  What makes you happy?  What are you doing today that brings God happiness?

What’s Red, Spiny, and Sweet?

Does anyone know what these red, spiny things are?

I’ll give you a hint.

We came across these on the streets of Xenacoj before we passed the “laundry mat” that I talked about yesterday and before we arrived at the backyard party that I mentioned on Monday.

Do you give up?

They are called Rambutan.  They are originally from China, but they are also found throughout Central America.

When you peel away the spiny shell, a white grape-like fruit.  For more pictures and an explanation of how to eat a Rambutan, click here for the wikiHow link.

As we walked by this street fruit stand, we stopped to look at this strange fruit.  Before we knew it, the missionary and his son were encouraging us to try one.  We asked if it was safe.  To which, he responded that they were safe based on the shell surrounding the fruit.

Within a little more encouragement, my wife and my kids were cracking open their first Rambutan.  I chickened out not wanted to risk getting sick so early in our trip.  Apparently, the risk was worth it as indicated by the sounds of satisfaction coming from my family.

I have to give my family credit.  They took a leap of faith.

Was it a big leap?  I suppose not, but it still took a certain amount of trust to believe our missionary hosts.

I wonder how many wonderful things we miss, because we are too afraid to take leap.

I don’t know about you, but life is too short to miss out.  I’m not suggesting that you do something stupid.  I’m merely recommending that you get outside of your comfort zone and try something different – something that requires risk.  As I’ve shared before, going to Guatemala was a leap of faith for our family, and I can tell you that it was completely worth it.

Maybe it means going on a mission trip to someplace like Guatemala.

Maybe it means trying a strange piece of fruit (or other food).

Maybe it means walking across the street to talk with a neighbor.

Take time to try something new TODAY!

When have you taken a risk by trying something new?  How was the experience?  What was your holding you back?  What was it like after taking the risk?  What risk do you need to pursue?

(For me, one of the risks that I need to pursue further is writing a book.  It’s been on my list of things to do for a while, but I seem to let other things (including fear) get in the way.)

This Takes Faith

This is a picture of Dave Sgro and one of the kids we had the privilege of serving while we were in Guatemala earlier this month.  Dave is a missionary and founder of GO! Ministries.  He was a very successful businessman by most people’s perspective when God and Guatemala grabbed his heart.  Dave took a huge leap of faith when he sold everything and moved his family to Guatemala a few years ago.  Now, he’s turning his attention, ideas, and dreams to the people of Guatemala.  It was a blessing for our family to see his faith as we worked together for a week.

Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 5:16-18

 

This takes faith.

When we hit speed bumps in our lives – health problems, financial problems, material problems, etc. – it’s easy to become bitter and discouraged.  I see it every day at work as team members become frustrated by the ever-changing demands of a project, a schedule, or a customer.  I see it in the news where people in our country and in other countries are fighting against each other verbally and physically.  And I even see it at home from time to time when we get tired, when we face a hardship of one kind or another, or when things start breaking down.

Paul reminds us that things on earth – things that we see – are temporary.

Yet we put so much energy and stock into these things.  We try to build bigger bank accounts and bigger homes.  We try to keep up with the Jones’ and the Smiths’ with our cars, toys, and other material items.

When will we learn to put our energy into the things that matter?

When we die, there’s only a couple of things coming with us.  I’m guessing that our memories will somehow come with us (although that’s just a guess on my part).  The only other thing I can think of is relationships – we can bring others to heaven by inviting them in – by introducing them to Christ.  Yet we live as if there’s no urgency to this.  We keep pushing and pushing and pushing to get the next promotion, the next financial windfall, or the next achievement.  When will we learn that God wants our hearts?  When will we live for things that will last?

God, give me your eyes.  Help me to live for things that matter.  Help me to build relationships.  Help me to actively share my faith in words and deeds, so others might know you.  Thank you for the reminder today.  I will not lose heart!

What are you building with your life that will last?  How might your life be transformed by living like this?

Riding My Bike Without Any Hands

The other night as I was heading over to the VFW to drop Isaac off for scouts, I noticed a man riding his bicycle in the 95 degree heat.  As he approached a straight away with no traffic, the man took his hands off the handlebars and sat up in this saddle.

When I was younger, I loved to ride my bike with no hands.  There was something unbelievably freeing about taking my hands off the handlebars and basking in the breeze as my bike traveled down the road or trail.

Today, it scares me to take my hands off the handlebars.  I’m sure most of it is my lack of confidence in my own balance.  My center of gravity and my sense of coordination has changed since I was a kid.  Generally, I don’t want to give up control of the bicycle, and I certainly don’t want to risk a crash.

Carrie Underwood sings “Jesus Take The Wheel” as a reminder to let God be in the driver seat.  Maybe that’s a message I need to hear, because quite frankly, I like to be in control of my life.  I like to have my hands on the handlebars of my life trusting that I can guide my path.

The reality is God knows best and is a far better driver than me.

How would my life look different if I gave God the steering wheel?  I’m guessing my direction would be better, and I’d be more likely to enjoy the ride of life.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  Galatians 5:13

God, I confess to You that I want to be in control.  So often I let this desire get in the way of the life You have for me.  Thank You for the reminder to give You the steering wheel.  I ask You to guide and direct me, and I pray that my eyes would be open to ways that I can serve others in love.  Thanks for sending Your Son so that I could experience this freedom.

Are you a control freak?  In your life, what do you need to turn over to God for His control?

Face Your Fears – Experience Life, Adventure, and God-Intended Thrills

What do you fear?

Is it the dark?  Is it heights?  Is it failure?  Is it falling?

What is it that makes you shake in your boots (or shoes or sandals)?

My hunch is that we all struggle with fear.

While we were on vacation, we had the opportunity to visit a water park in the Wisconsin Dells.  As soon as we arrived, the kids and I headed for the Tornado.  The Tornado is a six or seven story slide that drops riders into a giant bowl where they are left to swing back and forth until the raft is flushed through a tube at the bottom and into a pool of water.

Leanne immediately proclaimed that there was no way she would be riding on the Tornado.  She stuck to the smaller water slides for a while and sat at the side of the pool reading her book.  I guess I can’t blame her, the Tornado did seem pretty large.  Fear prevented her from climbing the steps (Isaac counted 97 steps) to the top of the slide.

And then something happened, Leanne decided it was time to “punch fear in the face” (to use a Jon Acuff phrase).  She grabbed the kids and me, and we climbed the steps together lugging the rafts to the top of the slide ready to face her fear of the Tornado.  Sure enough, Leanne hesitantly sat down on the raft and prepared for the decent into the Tornado.  As the covered sliding tube began to drop from the top, Leanne let out a shrill scream which could be heard until she reached the pool below.

As we joined her at the bottom of the slide, she raised her hands in the air and proclaimed “I did it!”  We asked her if she wanted to do it again to which she quickly declined.

She never went back on the Tornado, but she did it.  Leanne faced her fear.  She took the plunge.

There are probably many times in our lives where it’s okay to have a healthy level of fear.  But there are also many times when our fears are simply holding us back from experiencing life – experiencing adventure – experiencing God-intended thrills.

Last year, I struggled with a leap of faith decision that forced me to look eye to eye with some of my own fears.  When I faced the fear, it led me to Guatemala – a trip that changed my life.  In just a week and a half, I’ll be heading back with my family.  Do I have some fears related to this trip?  Honestly, yes.  Am I excited to experience life, adventure, and God-intended thrills?  Absolutely!

What fears are holding you back from life, adventure, and God-intended thrills?  What step can you take this week to face your fears?